Maj. Gen. Charles A. Flynn, former commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, and the incoming Deputy Commanding General, South, addresses the audience during U.S. Army Pacific’s Flying “V” ceremony at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, August 25. The Flying “V” ceremony was held to honor Brig. Gen. Brian E. Alvin (not pictured), outgoing Deputy Commanding General, Reserves, USARPAC, for his distinguished service as he prepares to depart USARPAC, and to welcome Flynn as he assumes the responsibilities of Deputy Commanding General, South. The “V” refers to the way the colors are posted during the ceremony, which is V-shaped. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough, U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs)

Story and photos byStaff Sgt. Christopher McCulloughU.S. Army-Pacific Public Affairs

The Flying “V” ceremony traditionally welcomes or honors senior Army officials when they assume duties or depart from an USARPAC.

The “V” refers to the way the colors are posted during the ceremony, which is V-shaped.

Col. Olin K. Strader, Commander of Troops, presents the U.S. Army Pacific Color Guard during U.S. Army Pacific’s Flying “V” ceremony at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, August 25. The Flying “V” ceremony was held to honor Brig. Gen. Brian E. Alvin (not pictured), outgoing Deputy Commanding General, Reserves, USARPAC, for his distinguished service as he prepares to depart USARPAC, and to welcome Maj. Gen. Charles A. Flynn (not pictured), former commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, as he assumes the responsibilities of Deputy Commanding General, South. The “V” refers to the way the colors are posted during the ceremony, which is V-shaped. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough, U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs)

USARPAC’s subordinate and theater-enabling commands were represented on the parade field by Soldiers bearing the organizational colors and command teams.

Alvin has 32 years on active duty with the U.S. Army. He has been with USARPAC since October 2014, during which time he was the DCG, U.S. Army Reserve, and additionally became the first USARPAC general officer to fill the new position, director of Army Reserve Engagement Cell.

He will depart USARPAC after nearly two years of distinguished service to assume command of the 63rd Regional Support Command in Mountain View, Calif.

USARPAC commanding general Gen. Robert B. Brown officiated the ceremony and addressed Alvin’s importance to USARPAC and the impact he had on the command.

“Brian was the Army’s very first AREC director, and it happened right here at USARPAC,” said Brown. “His position demonstrates our commitment to always operate as a ‘Total Army Force,’ and acknowledges the critical contributions to the joint force that only our Reserve components can provide.”

Brown went on to detail how Alvin prepared Reserve units for full-spectrum operations with responsive enabling capabilities, provided mentorship to senior leaders in the Reserve component, and afforded oversight of the USARPAC’s efforts to posture the Army Reserve in order to respond to any contingencies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

“Brian’s responsibilities went further than just advancing an important voice for Army Reserves in USARPAC and this region,” Brown said. “As one of our deputy commanding generals, he represented this command in many different countries, and in many different exercises, and we have benefited immeasurably from his foreign engagements and dedicated service”

U.S. Army Pacific commanding general Gen. Robert B Brown (left); Maj. Gen. Charles A. Flynn (center), former commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, and incoming Deputy Commanding General, South, USARPAC; and Brig. Gen. Brian E. Alvin, outgoing Deputy Commanding General, Reserves, USARPAC; stand ready for a Flying “V” ceremony held at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, August 25. The ceremony was held to honor Alvin for his distinguished service as he prepares to depart USARPAC, and to welcome Flynn, as he assumes the responsibilities of Deputy Commanding General, South. The “V” refers to the way the colors are posted during the ceremony, which is V-shaped. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough, U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs)

Brown concluded by thanking Alvin for his contributions to USARPAC and expressed how fortunate he felt that Alvin will be continuing his service in the Army.

Brown also celebrated the arrival of Flynn who is coming to USARPAC from just up the road at Schofield Barracks where he was the 47th commander of the 25th Infantry Division.

“The Army could not have found anyone more qualified or ready to go on day-one than Charlie,” Brown said. “As the division commander of the 25th, his thumb prints have been all over Pacific Pathways from almost the very beginning, and he has been instrumental in how far we have progressed. His on-the-ground observations and his vast network of regional friends and allies will be invaluable resources to draw upon as he navigates through the strategic issues of this region.”

Brown finished up his remarks by stating how excited he was to have Flynn join the USARPAC ohana.

“As our deputy commanding general focused on the southern half of our vast region, Charlie will not only represent me and USARPAC, he will be representing our entire PACOM joint team as we strengthen existing relationships and leverage new opportunities during this time of rapid change,” Brown said.

Brig. Gen. Brian E. Alvin, outgoing Deputy Commanding General, Reserves, U.S. Army Pacific, addresses the audience during USARPAC’s Flying “V” ceremony at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, August 25. The Flying “V” ceremony was held to honor Maj. Gen. Charles A. Flynn (not pictured), former commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, as the incoming Deputy Commanding General, South; and to honor Alvin for his distinguished service as he prepares to depart USARPAC. The “V” refers to the way the colors are posted during the ceremony, which is V-shaped. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough, U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs)

Flynn stated, in kind, how he felt like the luckiest man in the world and gave thanks to all his teammates in U.S. Army-Hawaii and the 25th ID. He went on to say how he considered USARPAC an incredible ohana of talented leaders, Soldiers and civilians and how blessed he found himself to be a member of this team.

“I stand ready to take on any mission that (Gen. Brown) or Admiral Harris need me to accomplish in this incredibly important time of our history and in this crucial Pacific theater. And there is no shortage of work for the Army and the demands in the Pacific are high as well,” said Flynn.

The ceremony concluded with remarks made by Alvin, who expressed that it was a great honor to have served under Brown, and gave thanks to Brown and other members of the AREC for placing trust in him during his tenure at USARPAC.

“It was a great honor to lead you as the first AREC in the Army Reserve. You established the way and set the bar high. You left an enduring legacy of excellence for others to follow,” said Alvin.